PwC boss urges employers to tap disability talent pool

Date: November 22 2012

Rachel Browne

FEAR of the unknown is deterring employers from hiring more people with disabilities, according to the chief executive of one of Australia's largest companies.

Luke Sayers, CEO of PwC, has challenged companies to increase opportunities for people with disabilities. About 5 per cent of the 5500-strong PwC workforce has a disability, and Mr Sayers would like to increase the proportion to 15 to 20 per cent. He believes more employers could do the same.

But he believes businesses are constrained by negative perceptions. ''It's a combination of factors - fast-pace and immediacy of our world of economic rationalism; fear of the unknown,'' he said.

''Sadly, this means employers often won't commit the time to support and release the talent within these individuals.''

Half the 2.2 million working-age Australians with disabilities are unemployed, according to a report commissioned by the Australian Network on Disability. The report, by Deloitte Access Economics, found increasing participation rates by a third would generate $43 billion in GDP over the next decade.

The report also found that increased employment participation would help cover the costs for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, to be introduced to Federal Parliament this month.

Australian Network on Disability chief executive Suzanne Colbert said local businesses ranked poorly on a global scale, with only 17 per cent of companies focusing on including people with disability. Australia is ranked 21st out of 29 among OECD countries in employing people with disability.

With the US government looking at introducing a quota system, Ms Colbert said governments here could consider the same.

''We may indeed need some more carrots and sticks to help Australian businesses be inclusive,'' she said.

The NSW government introduced a $4000 payroll tax relief incentive at the beginning of the year to encourage employers to hire people with a disability, but NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance said few companies had pursued it.

Improving employment opportunities for people with disability is the focus of this year's ''Don't DIS my ABILITY'' campaign, which Mr Constance said endeavoured to change employer attitudes.

Hayley Bellamy, 23, combines her university studies with work for Anglicare and Lifeline. The Penrith woman uses a wheelchair due to the genetic disorder muscular spinal dystrophy, but says most employers have been supportive.

''Obviously, there are some things I can't do, but I have plenty of other skills to offer, so I don't think using a wheelchair has hindered me at all,'' she said.

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